October 17th marks the annual International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Currently, there is cause for concern about the current state of poverty in Toronto. There has been a growing income gap, a large increase in in low wage and precarious works, and higher rates of poverty among marginalized communities, higher unemployment, an inadequate social safety net and not enough and inadequate affordable housing (A Poverty Elimination Strategy for the City of Toronto, Alliance for a Poverty-Free Toronto).
Poverty disproportionally impacts oppressed groups, including women, racialized groups, recent immigrants and people with mental health issues.
- On average, 9% of people living in Canada are poor. However, some groups are much more likely to be poor than others:
- Aboriginal women (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)—36%
- Visible minority women—35%
- Women with disabilities—26%
- Single parent mothers—21% (7% of single parent fathers are poor)
- Single senior women—14% (http://www.canadianwomen.org/facts-about-poverty)
At Nellie’s, we see the devastating impacts of poverty on women every day. Often, women are forced to choose between paying rent and being able to afford food. Poverty often forces women to stay in violent and unsafe situations.
Nellie’s provides shelter and community support and outreach programs to women who are often experiencing poverty. As part of our strategy for change, Nellie’s is committed to doing anti-poverty work through participation in coalitions, public education and media campaigns, and direct political action such as participation in protests and rallies, deputations, complaints and refusal to participate in oppressive government programs.
On August 24, 2014, Nellie’s attended the “Toronto Mayoral Candidate: Action
Against Poverty Event” hosted by Social Planning Toronto and Alliance for Poverty Free Toronto. This event made sure that the candidates in this upcoming municipal election were talking about a Poverty Reduction Strategy. Alliance for Poverty Free Toronto has provided a list of things you can do to make sure Toronto is making progress on Poverty Reduction this election and in the future:
1) Ask mayoral and councilor candidates by letter, email or in person, to sign APT’s “Commitment to Poverty Reduction Pledge”
2) Ask mayoral and councilor candidates “What will you do to eliminate or reduce poverty in the city?” at any all-candidates meeting leading up to the October election
3) Get involved in the City’s consultation process: email OPenDialogue@toronto.ca to give feedback
